Binge-Watching and Mental Health Problems: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Zainab Alimoradi, Elahe Jafari, Marc N. Potenza, Chung-Ying Lin (), Chien-Yi Wu () and Amir H. Pakpour
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Zainab Alimoradi: Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin 34197-59811, Iran
Elahe Jafari: Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin 34197-59811, Iran
Marc N. Potenza: Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, The Child Study Center, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
Chung-Ying Lin: Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, University Rd., Tainan 701401, Taiwan
Chien-Yi Wu: Department of Pediatrics, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung 82445, Taiwan
Amir H. Pakpour: Department of Nursing, School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, 553 18 Jönköping, Sweden

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 15, 1-24

Abstract: Background: Binge-watching, the viewing of online videos or streamed content, may be associated with different types of mental health problems. The present study aimed to investigate the associations between binge-watching and five mental health concerns including depression, loneliness, sleep problems, anxiety, and stress. Methods: Academic databases of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, PsycINFO, and Psych Articles were systematically searched through February of 2022. The Newcastle–Ottawa Scale was used to assess the methodological quality. A meta-analysis was performed on Fisher’s z values as effect sizes, using a random effect model. Publication bias, small study effect, and moderators in this association were assessed. Results: Binge-watching was significantly associated with the five types of mental health concerns with the most robust correlations found with stress (0.32) and anxiety (0.25). Stronger associations between binge-watching and two types of mental health problems (depression and sleep problems) were found during the COVID-19 pandemic than before the pandemic. Moreover, stronger associations between binge-watching and two types of mental health problems (stress and sleep problems) were found in developing countries than in developed countries. Conclusions: The associations between binge-watching and mental health concerns were significant and positive. Programs and interventions to reduce binge-watching should be considered and tested.

Keywords: binge-watching; depression; loneliness; sleep problems; anxiety; stress; addictive behaviors; Internet use addiction (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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